The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, with the final government-sponsored flight conveying 308 citizens and three Nigerian officials back home.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on her X account on Wednesday, saying the last evacuation flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 6:30 a.m. South African time and was expected to arrive in Nigeria by 11:30 a.m.
According to the minister, the latest flight marks the end of the Federal Government’s emergency evacuation exercise, which has brought more than 1,500 Nigerians back from South Africa since the outbreak of xenophobic attacks targeting black migrants.
She described the exercise as a major humanitarian intervention and expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving and supporting the rescue mission.
“His decisive leadership and compassionate intervention in facilitating the successful airlift and safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, imperilled by the spate of xenophobic incidents, no doubt saved many precious lives which could have been lost if not for this timely action,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The minister added that President Tinubu’s decision to extend the evacuation exercise beyond the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa reflected his commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
“His prompt directive to bring our nationals home at the beginning of these protests and attacks against migrants in South Africa once again demonstrates his steadfast dedication to the security, well-being and protection of the dignity of the Nigerian national, irrespective of where he or she resides. You promised, you delivered,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the government’s swift response provided relief to affected Nigerians and their families while reassuring citizens that the government would stand by them in times of crisis.
She also commended the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Alex Ajayi; the Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Nini Okey Uche; officers of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa; and the management and staff of Air Peace for their roles in the evacuation exercise.
The minister thanked Nigerians for their patience and confidence throughout the operation and welcomed the returning evacuees back home, expressing hope for their safe reintegration.
